Parts of Chile and Argentina will witness on December 14 a total solar eclipse, where the Sun will be completely blocked by the Moon.
A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth. There are three types of solar eclipses – total, partial and annular.
Today's total solar eclipse will be visible from from the cities of Teodoro Schmidt, Temuco, Gorbea, Villarrica, Pucón, Junín de los, Ministre Ramos Mexía, Valcheta and San Antonio Oeste.
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In India, the next solar eclipse is on May 21, 2031. South India will experience an annular eclipse, where the Sun appears as a ring (annulus) around the Moon. It will be seen as a partial eclipse by the rest of the country. On March 20, 2034, another annular solar eclipse can be witnessed from the northernmost part of India, while the rest of the country can see a partial eclipse.
Today’s eclipse is expected to start after 11:30 a.m EST (10 p.m. IST) and last up to 2 minutes and 40 seconds, depending on the location. The next total solar eclipse visible over South America will be on December 4, 2021.
The next solar eclipses in the United States are on October 14, 2023 (Annular Solar Eclipse) and April 8, 2024 (Total Solar Eclipse).
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NASA will provide live coverage of today’s solar eclipse on their website after 8:10 p.m. (IST).
It is not advisable to look at the Sun during a solar eclipse with naked eyes. Only eclipse glasses that have a certification with “ISO 12312-2 international standard” are safe for use, according to NASA. Other options are the number 14 welder's glass or a pinhole projector that allows a user to project the image of the sun on paper or cardboard.
It is absolutely safe to eat, drink, and carry out your daily activities during an eclipse.